Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge?

[MeganMango]

Which one is preferred and why?

I'm drawn to the WL boat to MK. WL is 286 vs 269 at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Is AKL further from all the parks (besides animal kingdom lol)?

 

[DeanDoug]

Hi, Megan-
This is a very popular question! We've stayed at both and love each, AKL is our personal favorite given the surroundings and experience. WL is great, and yes, the boat is a perk. AKL is further from the parks (except AK), but that has never been a detraction for us. We also LOVE the restaurants at AKL.

 

[Babsy]

WL
currently undergoing DVC construction
boat to MK
everything under one roof
beautiful lobby
close to the MK
bus everywhere else
bus ride is about 5 - 10 minutes longer to/from the AK
bus ride time is similar to DHS and Epcot (small differences, IMO)
convenient boat ride to the CR for dining at MK monorail resorts
walk to FW for activities/dining there


AKL
beautiful lobby
buses only means of transportation
Animals!!!! just outside your room OR surrounding the resort with lots of viewing areas
close to AK
about an extra 5-10 minutes to/from the MK
bus ride time is similar to DHS or Epcot (small differences, IMO)
everything under one roof
some of the best dining in WDW, IMO



Very similar resorts in many ways
small but comfortable rooms at both
great theming at both
we are from up north so the WL doesn't feel 'themed' to us (too much like home)

Both are wonderful resorts. If construction bothers you, you might want to go with the AKL this time around. If the MK is the theme park that you may be spending the most time at, then the WL might be the best choice. Otherwise choose the resort with the theming that appeals to you the most.

Enjoy!

 

[dkrauss]

My wife and I have done both............they're similar in some ways, primarily the lobby's. One is a boat ride from the MK the other has savanna rooms! At AKL, it is a bit of a ride to other parks (besides AK).......... Both give you a feeling like you're not in FLA...........they've become our two favorites. I give AKL the edge because of Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko..........some of the best dining in all of WDW.

We did AKV this past November.........and we're returning to WL in June of this year.........so even we can't decide

Doug

 

[mickeynut1]

WL
currently undergoing DVC construction
boat to MK
everything under one roof
beautiful lobby
close to the MK
bus everywhere else
bus ride is about 5 - 10 minutes longer to/from the AK
bus ride time is similar to DHS and Epcot (small differences, IMO)
convenient boat ride to the CR for dining at MK monorail resorts
walk to FW for activities/dining there


AKL
beautiful lobby
buses only means of transportation
Animals!!!! just outside your room OR surrounding the resort with lots of viewing areas
close to AK
about an extra 5-10 minutes to/from the MK
bus ride time is similar to DHS or Epcot (small differences, IMO)
everything under one roof
some of the best dining in WDW, IMO



Very similar resorts in many ways
small but comfortable rooms at both
great theming at both
we are from up north so the WL doesn't feel 'themed' to us (too much like home)

Both are wonderful resorts. If construction bothers you, you might want to go with the AKL this time around. If the MK is the theme park that you may be spending the most time at, then the WL might be the best choice. Otherwise choose the resort with the theming that appeals to you the most.

Enjoy!

Great descriptions of both

 

[shanew21]

If you'll be spending the majority of your time at Magic Kingdom, then do the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[MeganMango]

WL
currently undergoing DVC construction
boat to MK
everything under one roof
beautiful lobby
close to the MK
bus everywhere else
bus ride is about 5 - 10 minutes longer to/from the AK
bus ride time is similar to DHS and Epcot (small differences, IMO)
convenient boat ride to the CR for dining at MK monorail resorts
walk to FW for activities/dining there


AKL
beautiful lobby
buses only means of transportation
Animals!!!! just outside your room OR surrounding the resort with lots of viewing areas
close to AK
about an extra 5-10 minutes to/from the MK
bus ride time is similar to DHS or Epcot (small differences, IMO)
everything under one roof
some of the best dining in WDW, IMO



Very similar resorts in many ways
small but comfortable rooms at both
great theming at both
we are from up north so the WL doesn't feel 'themed' to us (too much like home)

Both are wonderful resorts. If construction bothers you, you might want to go with the AKL this time around. If the MK is the theme park that you may be spending the most time at, then the WL might be the best choice. Otherwise choose the resort with the theming that appeals to you the most.

Enjoy!

THANK YOU! This is perfect. Are the bus areas crowded at AKL esp for MK?

 

[MrsHammer]

THANK YOU! This is perfect. Are the bus areas crowded at AKL esp for MK?

We stayed at AKL last April, and our experience was that the MK bus was by far the most popular one early in the morning. A few days the bus filled up before everyone got on and some people had to wait for the next bus. Also, it was a bit frustrating because we would see two and sometimes three busses come and go for each of the other parks before even one MK bus would arrive. I'm not sure if that is a common thing or if we just had tough luck on that trip.

 

[Babsy]

THANK YOU! This is perfect. Are the bus areas crowded at AKL esp for MK?

WE just came back from a visit to AKL in January. WE didn't have any trouble getting on a bus to any theme park including to the MK. However, we are not early risers, so it may have been more crowded early in the morning. We never had any problem getting on the bus that we wanted or getting a seat once on board.

For the AK, Epcot and DHS Jambo House shares a bus with Kidani, where the bus stops first. For the Mk both Jambo and Kidani have their own dedicated buses.

I suspect that there might be more crowd issues in busier times (e.g. April) and no issues during 'slower' times of year ( e.g. january). However, that would be true at any resort, not just AKL. The general issues of occasionally having to wait for buses that are slower than usual or having people that are rude and discourteous are not limited to any particular resort. We were very lucky and never had a long wait for our bus during this most recent trip. I have had long waits (1 1/2 hours+) for a bus at several resorts over the years, but such bad luck is the exception rather than the rule. Usually you can expect a wait of about 20 minutes or less for a bus. I cannot remember ever waiting longer than a 1/2 hour for any bus at AKL Jambo House.

The bus area is conveniently close to the AKL lobby and has a covered walkway leading to covered bus stops with several benches for sitting while waiting.

WE have always found the buses from AKL as good as or better than average at WDW resorts. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Leelo]

We stayed at AKL several years ago and my only complaint was bus travel times seemed lengthy to all parks except AK. I remember several times it took 40 minutes or more to get to our destination. This was not convenient for us for the following reasons:
1) We spend most of our time at MK and Epcot.
2) We usually go back to our room to change for dinner.
3) We usually eat dinner at one of the MK resorts or at Disney Springs then go back to a park.
For our upcoming trip, we chose to stay at one of the MK resorts (ended up choosing the Poly) so we can take advantage of the close proximity to most of the things we do.

As far as theming for AKL vs WL, they are both designed by the same architect so you can't go wrong either way as far as immersive, beautiful design.

I would pick WL for ease of transport if you spend a lot of time in the MK/Epcot area like we do. But like others said, check the refurb schedule to see if there will be construction going on still. And assess if you think longer travel times would be a bother to you.

 

[Angell]

My family prefers WL. There's something so relaxing about starting and ending the day with a boat ride...the breeze is Magical!

Angell